Effects of supplementation of pomegranate processing by-products and waste cooking oils as alternative feed resources in broiler nutrition

Abstract

Agricultural residues can be used as alternative feed sources in industrial chicken production. The impacts of different levels of pomegranate peel and waste cooking oil as an agricultural residue on broilers nutrition were investigated. Results showed that replacement of 8% pomegranate peel in diets decreased growth performance of broilers. Supplementing 8% pomegranate peel in diets reduced apparent nutrient digestibility. The highest level of waste oil inclusion in broiler diets indicated negative impacts on apparent metabolisable energy and crude fat apparent nutrients digestibility. Broilers fed the diet containing 4% pomegranate peel had higher Lactobacillus population. The results showed that Lactobacillus population was lower in broilers fed 8% pomegranate peel powder and 4% waste oil in diets. Inclusion of 8% pomegranate peel powder in diets was showed lower villus height and crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Inclusion of 4% pomegranate peel decreased peroxide value (PV) of meat. Dietary inclusion of 4% waste oil raised PV of meat. Alpha-tocopherol supplementation decreased PV of meat. Finally, the results provide information that 4% of pomegranate peel and 4% waste oil could be used as an alternative feed ingredient in broiler diets without adverse effects.